Partners Content – 21 February 2014
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Walking through Namibia
Being on foot is one of the best ways you can take in the rugged landscapes, diverse
wildlife and unique flora of Namibia. In this post we will be looking at a selection of walks
that showcase the variety of on-foot adventures you can have in Namibia.
Visitors on a guided walk in Damaraland.
When in Namibia, go walking
Once you get out into Namibia’s countryside the one thing that you should realise is that almost
every lodge, camp, rest camp, and game park will have a selection of walking trails that you can
walk if you so choose. Many of these will be un-guided, but some of the establishments do offer
guided tours.
Below are a few examples of the types of walks you can find while travelling through Namibia.
The walks covered below range from traditional walking trails to more adventurous and unusual
safari-style walks.
Have feet, will walk.
Walking the Waterberg
The Waterberg Plateau Park is a terrific place to visit for a few days. Game drives, diverse plant
life and beautiful surroundings make the Waterberg a must-see when in Namibia.
The park does not allow visitors to drive themselves around the park but guests are encouraged
to explore the park by foot. The grounds of the park are crisscrossed by a network of footpaths
and hiking trails and those looking to explore the famous reserve can do so with ease.
Map of the park's many walking trails.
(Image via African Reservations)
Walking in the Waterberg one gains an appreciation for the huge plateau itself and if you are
lucky, and very quiet, you may catch a glimpse of a few of the park’s inhabitants. Keep an eye out
for tracks in the sand while walking as there are several animals in the park who use some of the
trails that guests do.
Black rhino taking a dip in the Waterberg.
(Image via Africa and Beyond)
The bird life in the Waterberg is also fantastic and if you are a keen birder then you will know
that bird spotting on foot is one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of some rare birds.
The walking trails are not particularly challenging and most guests, young and old, should be able
to find a trail that suits their fitness level and peeks their interest.
The trails are all clearly marked. Above is marker for the Fig Tree trail.
For more information on the Waterberg click here.
Tracking Desert Rhinos on foot.
The Desert Rhino Camp is a mobile camp run by the Save the Rhino Trust in the Palmwag
Concession area. The camp is located in an area that is close to the Skeleton Coast in the north
west of Namibia. The Palmwag Concession area boasts the highest concentration of black rhinos
in Africa but it is also home to a large population of desert-adapted black rhinos.
A tracked rhino, hiding in the bushes.
Save the Rhino Trust regularly tracks the rhinos in the concession area as part of its efforts to
conserve the endangered animals, and guests can help them out. You can, on foot, help the
rangers and conservationists track these gentle giants through their natural environment- a
walking experience that is as rare as it is incredible.
A family of desert-adapted rhinos.
Read a first hand account of one such experience here.
Climbing the dunes of Sossusvlei
There are several massive dunes near the iconic Sossusvlei and walking/hiking to the top of
these dunes is a wonderful way to get amazing panoramic views of the famous vlei and its
surroundings. There are no restrictions as to what dunes you can climb up, but there are trails
that are more popular than others.
Adventurers trekking up one of the many dunes near Sossusvlei.
One of the more popular trails is the one that leads to the Dead Vlei with its fossilised trees and
clay pan offering numerous photo opportunities for the walkers who crest the mighty dunes
surrounding the vlei.
The unforgettable Deadvlei.
You can drive yourself to the dunes but you will need a 4x4 vehicle to get closer. There is a
designated area where you can park your car. There are also several tour operators that will
bring you to the same parking lot near the massive dunes.
The walk up Big Daddy is tough, but worth it.
Click here for a concise guide to getting up and down these dunes.
Following the Bushman trail at Okonjima
The Bushman trail at Okonjima affords guests the unique opportunity of following in the
footsteps of the indigenous San people that still live in the area just west of the Waterberg.
The trail, which you will be taken along by a guide, will give you a glimpse into how Namibia’s
oldest cultural group has lived their lives for centuries. From gathering food to crafting tools and
preparing food, visitors are encouraged to participate and learn about one of the oldest living
civilizations on the planet.
A guide teaching some guests about San culture.
(Image via Okonjima)
Follow this link for information on the trail and the game reserve.
Further Reading
Above are but four examples of the different kinds of walking adventures you can have in
Namibia. As mentioned there are literally hundreds of walking trails in this vast country and it is
always a good idea to ask whatever establishment you are staying at if there are any interesting
walks to do.
Here is a list of camps with good walking trails around them.
And for those of you who feel like a more challenging on-foot adventure, check out our post on
the unforgettable Fish River hike.
Facebook
Namibia offers up its secrets to the travelers who explore the land on foot.
Read this guide on walking adventureshttp://bit.ly/1dY21Fd
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Namibian wild horses at sunset.
Follow the link below to find out how you can spend some time with these enigmatic
creatures of the Namib.
http://ow.ly/tOviR
Photo by Cheryl Korff (www.fotoblur.com/people/cherylkorff)
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Get elevated! Have an adrenaline filled adventure while rock climbing in and around
Windhoek, Namibia. http://ow.ly/tMdU7
Image via Urban Friction
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Get elevated! Have an adrenaline filled adventure while rock climbing in and
around Windhoek, Namibia. http://ow.ly/tMdU7
Image courtesy of Urban Friction
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Want something out of the ordinary? Book a marine safari and dune adventure just
outside Walvis Bay Namibia with Mola Mola Safaris.
Follow this link: http://ow.ly/tHfuk
Image via Mola Mola Walvis Bay
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A small boy from the Himba tribe, Namibia
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Twitter
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Read this guide on #walking #adventures http://bit.ly/1dY21Fd
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pic.twitter.com/MGtuencK65
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pic.twitter.com/V2vpUrafHL
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